Mon., 7/2/12 Devotion (Isa. 64:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 64:1a, where we read these words:

"Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come
down! . . . "

The Prophet Isaiah's passionate prayer (above) was answered, when Christ came down to earth, and was made incarnate in Mary's womb. This plea was also fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came down in great power on the church, at Pentecost (Acts 2). But this petition continues to be answered, as God revives His church through the continuing and intensified work of the Holy Spirit--as He sanctifies the church and adds to her number.

Let us join Isaiah in yet asking God to "rend the heavens . . . [and] come down!" After all, just as in Isaiah's time, so it is true today: there is no hope for the world outside of Christ's direct intervention in it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, among that cloud of witnesses, we see Rahab, Gideon, and Samson ranked with Abraham, the father of the faithful (Heb. 11:31-32)."
--Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]